Steph Gabriel runs conservation retreats to Tonga where she takes girls over to swim with whales and other marine life. Uses it as a way to teach people about the impact of plastic and waste on marine life.Patrick Woods

OUR REGION'S FINEST

In need of some weekend inspiration for that passion project? Well, this is guaranteed to have you pulling out the drawing books.

The Sunshine Coast is home to many talented and inspiring youth, who are kicking goals and making some serious tracks on the world. From environmental conservation to world refugee protection, this local generation is truly something to be proud of.

While the list could go on forever, here are just a few extra impressive local personalities.

Steph Gabriel - scientist, entrepreneur, ocean conservationist

At 20 years old Steph didn't know what she wanted to do or who she was, so she packed her bags and headed off, exploring the world in search of the answer. Her journey led her to the Cayman Islands where she worked on board tourist boats. Her job? To swim down to the depths and lure stingrays towards the surface with live squid, so tourists could see and touch them.

She soon fell in love with the ocean and decided to study a Bachelor of Environmental Science at the University of the Sunshine Coast.

Steph is well known for her local fashion label Ocean Zen, her bikinis are made from old fishing nets and plastic water bottles found in the ocean. She is passionate about protecting our waters and also runs conservation trips in Tonga, allowing tourists and locals to swim with whales and other marine life to show first hand the very real impact plastic pollution is having on our oceans.

Why is the ocean so important to you?

The ocean is home to incredible marine life. I've been so lucky to be involved in researching humpback whales, sea lions, sharks and coral reefs and it's through these experiences that have made me fall more in love with them and their home.

Where did your idea to design swimwear from materials such as plastic, fishing ropes and other pollution that is threatening the health of our oceans stem from?

I was in my final year of studying for my degree in environmental science and wanted a voice for sustainability. I wanted to share everything that I had learned and more so draw awareness to some of the serious issues I had learned about plastic pollution. Eight years earlier, I was travelling South America and was sitting around a bonfire one night chatting with folk from around the world, and someone had mentioned something about a fabric made from recycled plastic bottles and fishing nets from the ocean. At the time I hadn't begun my sustainable journey but it was this same conversation that got me thinking all those years later when studying my degree. I loved surfing and I'm a scuba dive master, so I was always wearing bikinis, and so after lots of research I decided to combine both of my passions together, marine conservation and swimwear. I was working two casual jobs and studying full-time at uni, so it wasn't an easy launch, but through lots of hard work and resilience, it has organically grown into a global community of supporters.

How do you think this type of fashion is positively influencing people?

It's amazing that technology is allowing us to regenerate waste, but the real solution comes from stopping waste at the source. Through our platform Ocean Zen we go to schools and events and share awareness on plastic pollution and the negative impact it is having on the environment and human health. We are more than just a swimwear brand, we are inspiring our consumers to live more sustainably and shop ethically and to think about the footprint that they leave behind when shopping. Our community of 40,000 Instagram followers alone believe in our cause for a cleaner ocean and connect with our passion.

Ziggy Alberts: Singer, songwriter

Ziggy AlbertsZach Sanders

While Ziggy Alberts is hailed in the media as a 'Byron Bay boy' he actually grew up here on the Sunshine Coast. As a life-long surfer, Ziggy's love for the ocean and our natural environment is directly translated into his music and lyrics that are now topping national charts, taking him on international tours and boosting him into the musical big leagues.

Ziggy refused to sign early contracts that would put him into the media spotlight but in turn constrain his creative license. Instead, he was determined to make it to the top 'organically'. He spent years on the road, living in a van, travelling up and down the East Coast of Australia busking and performing to increase his exposure.

Ziggy is now a regular favourite on national radio channels such as Triple J, recently being asked on the morning show to perform a "Like a Version”, following in the footsteps of music industry legends such as Lorde, John Butler Trio and Grinspoon.

Ziggy AlbertsZach Sanders

Your career has taken off in the last few years, you've been on international tours and played at festivals like Splendour in the Grass and Blues Fest back home. What is something you've learnt living life on the road?

I've learnt that you have to take time off from it. I'm getting better at routines now, just little things that give you something familiar each day amongst changing continents and time zones.

You're renowned for not only your musical talent but your strong message of conservation. Why is looking after the earth so important for you?

It's important for everybody who's breathing with a beating heart on this planet. Most of our day to day is so far removed from this reality and I like to keep in mind - and encourage - that every individual can do their part to make more responsible choices, wherever possible, and enjoy this lovely little planet while doing so.

Congrats on the Laps Around The Sun world tour! What can expect from the live show?

I'm playing all different-sized venues and I'm excited about each one of them.

I often boast that I have the best crowds to sing to.

The energy at each is nothing short of amazing - especially the singalongs.

Michael Jefferies -Law student, human rights advocate.

BEST STUDENT: Michael Jefferies won Law Student of the Year from the prestigious Lawyers Weekly Australian Law Awards 2018.Contributed

Michael Jefferies is a motivated self-starter who is passionate about human rights. Recently he was announced as the Australian Law Student of the Year at the Australian Law Awards. This award was determined on academic results, extracurricular activities and leadership in the community.

Michael has been heavily involved with the culture at the University of the Sunshine Coast as a student leader, including co-chairing the university's Student Representative Council for three years.

Even more impressive is his recent influence as a key leader of a youth-based international refugee advocacy organisation 'World for Refugees' including as its global chairman in late-2017.

Just last month he represented USC at the University Scholars Leadership Symposium at the United Nations Conference Centre in Bangkok, Thailand. He is now studying his final semester of law at the National University of Singapore as a New Colombo Plan scholar.

You have achieved so much for a person your age. When did you first discover your passion for human rights and law?

Through proactively seeking out lots of different opportunities! My strongest early influences were probably my involvement with UN Youth Australia during school as well as later attending the 2014 Harvard Model United Nations.

How do you find the time to juggle everything?

It helps to always have clearly defined (and written goals) for the short and long-term to remain focused and productive. For this, I like the quote, "success is rented rather than owned, and the rent is due every day.”

If you could give your 18-year-old self one bit of advice what would it be?

I would advise my younger self to be assured that when a door doesn't open for you, perhaps it isn't the right door. Stay true to yourself and keep striving; something even better (and more suitable for you) will be just around the corner.

Millie Thomas: Eating disorders recovery coach,

Millie Thomas has overcome an eating disorder and is now working for Sunshine Coast chaity endED, which will be opening the country's first eating disorder clinic.Patrick Woods

After overcoming her own eating disorder which left her with a prognosis of 'two weeks to live', Millie Thomas is now dedicating her life to help others who are struggling down a similar dark path.

She is working alongside Gabe and Mark Forbes to build Australia's first live in eating disorder clinic- a project commissioned by endED Australia.

Her work as a recovery coach for endED is inspiring youth and saving lives locally. She is passionate about developing effective treatment plans for ED sufferers and believes each case needs to be treated individually and holistically.

Originally from New Zealand, you overcame your disorder while living here on the Sunshine Coast, do you think this region is particularly healing for people suffering from eating disorders?

I do believe that the Sunshine Coast has a number of qualities that combine to create a truly healing environment. Here on the Coast, we are privileged to have beautiful beaches as well as unspoilt hinterland - the healing power of Mother Nature was pivotal to my recovery. We also have an incredible sense of caring and community in this region, which is so important, as I firmly believe that compassion and social connection are important parts of recovery from an Eating Disorder. Furthermore, there is a wealth of talented practitioners on the Coast who offer a more holistic approach to recovery. This combined with the fact that the region will soon be home to endED Butterfly House (Australia's first residential ED facility), means the Sunshine Coast truly is a place of hope and healing for those suffering from Eating Disorders and their families.

What is one message you would say to youth who are facing issues of negative body-image and self-worth?

You are worthy and you are enough just the way you are. Stop comparing yourself to other people whether that be in real life or on social media. You matter and you are SO much more than what you look like. There will never EVER be anyone else exactly like you and that's part of the beauty of being human. So rise up and embrace who you are - body, mind and soul. Stop obsessing and start living. Life is precious and it's ready and waiting for you to dive in!

Callum Lee: Paralegal, law student and education advocate

Callum LeeContributed

Callum Lee is making smart the new cool. He is a strong advocate for education. He has been working on programs ensuring everybody, despite their diverse backgrounds should have access to it.

While Callum came from a family who all went to university, he is all too aware that for many Queenslanders, a university education is far away, hard to reach or merely just an idea.

He wants to see students graduating who are from rural, isolated towns or who are the first in the family. Earlier this year Callum was a nominee for the Sunshine Coast Young Citizen of the Year.

How do you think USC supports individuals on their path to tertiary education?

One of the things USC does really well is it pushes for people who might be the first in the family or not have a culture of tertiary education. They are also really focussed on those regions around Queensland that are perhaps forgotten. The fact that USC really makes the effort to get in and connect and make an effort with those communities, it's very important. They bring the uni to you rather than you having to make big steps to get out of there.

Why are you so passionate about ensuring individuals from diverse backgrounds have equal opportunities to receive an education?

I have always equated it to the fact that I have absolutely no dancing talent. So if I was asked to do some type of dancing in front of people, I'd be terrified, because it's not something I'm familiar with. And I liken that to someone who's not got that culture of tertiary education in their family, so to have a go at it, I'm sure they are terrified of that step. The questions about, are they intelligent enough? Are they going to make any friends? Moving out of their hometown. I think giving people as much guidance and support as possible to show them that university really is for everybody is the most important thing.

individual can do their part to make more responsible choices, wherever possible. And enjoy this lovely little planet while doing so!

Brooke Styles - entrepreneur, media influencer, model

Brooke Styles is positively influencing the youth of the Sunshine Coast.Contributed

Brooke Styles built her own career from the ground up. It began six years ago, establishing herself as a model despite being too short to secure contracts with traditional agencies. Mastering the art of social media at a young age, Brooke has utilised these platforms to create her own creative business, where she provides content and management for companies.

Recently Brooke came across the SCAR's 100+ Club. This is a group of animals in the non-ethanising refuge that has been waiting 100 days or more to find their forever home. Most of these animals are bigger and older and are not the tiny puppies and kittens that are considered 'in fashion'.

Brooke began a campaign with the 100+ Club to raise awareness and exposure to help these animals in need of a new loving family.

What do you think is so important about the 100+ club and why did you want to help raise awareness about it?

Starting with the obvious, these beautiful animals have been in a kennel for over 100 days now. Homing these animals to live a better life is the main intention of the promotion and because the "fashionable” look for pets are fluffy little puppies and kittens it's no surprise that they are all the older and bigger animals. The team at SCAR do such an amazing job at giving a short term home for these animals but we can all agree a concrete kennel isn't somewhere to live forever!

I also was a young inspiring vet in my high school years but with my big animal heart, I knew I couldn't with cope seeing the loss of animals, so helping SCARS has been a huge fulfilment.

Instagram and other blogging sites have become an opportunity for youth to express themselves and in some cases launch their careers. As a social media expert, what advice would you give to someone looking to start their own brand online?

I call it the 2 Cs! Consistency and commitment! Always be consistent with the amount of effort in your work, the quality, and the quantity. You also have to be 110% committed, it really is a full time job and if you treat it as one from the start there will be nothing stopping you making it a brand.

Jessica Simpson is inspiring young female lifesavers in a sport that is usually dominated in the media by males. She is the only female club captain on the Sunshine Coast representing Dicky Beach Life Saving Club.

Earlier this year her fund-raising efforts, leadership skills and sporting talent was recognised as she was announced the Queensland Summer Surf Girl.

She is a huge advocate for equality in sports and wants to set an example to any young girls out there that they can do anything tor be anything the aspire to be.

Why is inspiring younger girls and other women in sport so important you?

Especially in surf lifesaving, it is a very male dominated sport and it can be hard as a young female to find someone to look up to and follow in their foot steps. I think it is important to show younger girls that regardless of their sex and age they are capable of doing whatever they want.

What do you think is so important about finding a positive role model?

People who are constantly striving to improve themselves will agree that they all have a good role model in their lives. I know that I am example